Friday, December 28, 2007

Key Strategies to Help Avoid Weight Gain over the Holidays

Are you one of the average Americans that experiences a holiday weight gain of 7 pounds between the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, and then goes on to attempt to lose as much of the excess as possible over the next several weeks? Usually, the weight is not all lost and then the cycle is repeated the next year and so on until a significant overall weight gain has occurred. It is certainly better during the holidays to not put the weight on in the first place, rather than fight an uphill battle to repair damage done during such a short period of time year after year.

It is absolutely possible to avoid weight gain during the holidays, but it definitely takes a focused approach and some discipline. This includes both holiday exercise and food intake plans, and the need for exercise during the holidays is critical to keeping the weight off. Here are some basic strategies to keeping excess weight off the body during those festive holiday months.

Let's combine some initial ideas here into some food intake strategies that can help you feel full and avoid the temptation to overeat. They include, getting plenty of water intake and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Water is the most important nutrient in the body, and being well hydrated year round is certainly important, as the body burns more fat when it is well hydrated. Water also helps keep the stomach felling full and naturally suppresses the appetite as a result. Cold water requires the body to warm it up, which naturally raises the metabolism slightly.

The same benefits apply to taking in a lot of fruits and veggies, which usually are a part of the party scene on a tray somewhere along with dips and a lot of other tempting finger foods nearby. Fruits and veggies have a lot of fiber and are naturally low in calories, especially vegetables, so the feeling of being full is so effective at curbing the appetite away from the really potentially damaging foods that can easily be overeaten if care is not taken.

The next very important thing that is a strategy is to make sure that you eat 5 small meals a day during the holidays. This keep you from going to a party starving and eaeting far too much of rich foods until you are full. If less than 5 small meals a day are eaten, the metabolism tends to slow, and the appetite once you get to a party tends to be at its highest. This is a recipe for an overeating disaster. Low metabolism from skipping meals plus overeating rich foods because you are hungry from not eating equals a lot of weight gain. If you eat frequently during the day, your appetite will be lower and easier to control and your metabolism will be at its highest, the perfect solution for not gaining weight. This also allows you to feel more satisfied on only one dessert serving, instead of the huge variety that usually populate the trays of holiday parties and tables everywhere.

Alcohol consumption is a huge potential contributor to weight gain because of the large number of calories present in alcoholic drinks. These calories are stored immediately as fat and need to be burned off later by the body, so it is vital to drink alcohol in moderation.

And finally, the exercise component: getting regular cardio and strength training in provides the benefit it always has: keeping our metabolism active and burning fat like a well oiled machine.

All these things add up to keeping your body at its leanest during the holidays, and are strategies that would be effective no matter the fitness level or age. Have fun and stay lean this holiday season.


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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Treat Yourself, But Don't Overdo It

Whether you're at the family barbecue, out with friends, or having dinner with colleagues, a time will come when temptation to cheat on your nutrition plan will present itself, and many will give in. I have this conversation with my clients frequently, and since the decision to indulge a little has already been made, I try to give tips for making better choices and still feel like you are treating yourself.

Soda or iced tea, or juice iced tea is regarded as the better choice simply due to the high levels of sugar and the carbonation in soda. Iced tea can certainly have sugar but if you have unsweetened, you can at least regulate how much. An 8oz glass of fruit juice is about 120 cal, 29 carbs and 26 grams of sugar, hardly considered a great alternative. All are bad for your teeth, and if you use lemon in your tea, the acidity can lead to cavities as sugar does in soda. One other note regarding soda, have you ever seen how easily soda takes corrosion off your car battery? Honestly I would choose water.

Alcohol light beer on average carries about 27% less calories than regular beer, with Michelob Ultra and Becks Premiere leading the way at less than 100 calories and 4 carbs. Red and white wine, on a list of over 100 averaged between 80-200 calories per glass. If you love a good mixed drink, keep this in mind if you're trying to watch your weight. A 12oz Margarita is around 680 cal, Pina Colada (650 cal), rum & coke (10oz, 356 cal). Of course the calories really add up when we add appetizers and have a few rounds. A couple drinks and a plate of potato skins may add up to your entire daily calorie allowance!

Eating out. Hmmm, way too many choices to be made here. But here are a few ideas for when you're out to dinner. Choose grilled when you can and ask for your meat to be prepared without oil or butter. Try losing the bun of your burger. And use mustard instead of mayo or special sauce. Mustard can add virtually no calories to your meal. Order salad dressing on the side, shy away from thick creamy dressings. Have ½ your meal wrapped to go before you're served. Choose a side of veggies rather than fries.

Don't forget dessert. This being my favorite category of food, sometimes it's hard avoiding overindulgence and still feel like I'm having a treat. So the only suggestion I will make in regards to dessert is choose whatever you like, but have a small portion. A few bites to satisfy our craving shouldn't hurt, overindulgence will. Maybe share that slice of pie with a friend.

Making the choice to eat healthier doesn't have to feel like you are being squeezed with restriction. A quality nutrition plan can include a day to relax and eat what you want. Sometimes, like on our cheat day, we can make healthy choices and still feel like we are treating ourselves.


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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

How to Transition to a Healthier Lifestyle: Common Obstacles and Tips on Overcoming Them

Making a lifestyle change in your nutrition (I hate the word "DIET") can be overwhelming at first. The prospect of making this type of change in your eating habits can seem more difficult if you are a bit of a social butterfly. Never fear! Below are just a few "arguments" I've heard people make about why they find it difficult to stick with their decision to maintain a healthier eating lifestyle. Do you see yourself in one of these examples? Check out my response and some suggestions on how you might choose to overcome these obstacles.

"There weren't any healthy choices available": Dining out can be quite tricky, but it's not impossible! Most restaurants are starting to offer healthy choice menus. But if you are unfortunate enough to land somewhere that doesn't offer these choices, take a close look at the menu and "make" a healthy meal! Do you see grilled chicken or fish anywhere on the menu? What about veggies? Don't be afraid to make up your own meal and ask for substitutions. Most restaurants are more than willing to make their customer happy with these sorts of adjustments. You've just got to ask.

"I don't have time to prepare meals": Our whole society is seems to be in a time management crisis. I know it's difficult. But, where there is a will, there is a way! One method that many healthy eaters have adopted has been to cook in bulk. For example, I cook several meals on Sundays and Wednesdays. I pack up appropriate portions into individual containers and put them in the fridge/freezer. Then when I leave the house in the morning, I just grab a few for each of my meals that day. If you have the luxury of cooking dinner every night, try cooking an extra portion or two for the next day's meals. Makes packing healthy choices a snap!

"I've GOT to have (insert unhealthy addictive food choice here... ie. Chocolate, white bread, etc...)": I've got a question for you... do you NEED it or WANT it. If you need it, you have what is called an addiction. Don't be embarrassed... we all have them. I would suggest starting to wean yourself off whatever it is that you are addicted to. If it doesn't fit into a healthy meal plan, it probably isn't good for you anyway. If it is just something you WANT.... cut it out! You can easily incorporate moderation into any healthy eating plan.

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"The peer pressure got to me... I gave in": Friends and family can be our biggest supporters and our worst saboteurs. They don't mean to sabotage you. More often that not, they just don't understand. Be strong! You can do it! Explain that what they want you to eat/drink isn't in line with your new lifestyle... "Thank you... but NO THANK YOU!" If they continue to push, just realize that they might be a little jealous that they don't have the will power and discipline to do what you're committed to. Take it as a compliment and show em' how it's done!

I've heard many more "reasons" (excuses) than the ones above. But these are the most common. The bottom line is, don't let "reasons" sabotage you. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. You've just got to decide you are going to do it and make a plan to make it happen!


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